stuff I think about after reading the Bible EVERY DAY very early in the morning

Thursday, August 4, 2016

all thing to all people

1
Corinthians 9

19 Even
though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all
people to bring many to Christ.

20 When
I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ.

When I was
with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law.

Even though I
am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ
those who are under the law.

21 When
I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live
apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ.

But I do not
ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When
I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to
bring the weak to Christ.

Yes, I try
to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to
save some.

23 I
do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

24 Don't
you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets
the prize? So run to win!

25 All
athletes are disciplined in their training.

They do it to
win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

26 So
I run with purpose in every step.

I am not just
shadowboxing.

27 I
discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

Otherwise, I
fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

All things to
all people.

Common ground.

2 things that
seem to be lacking in Christians today.

There seems to
be a premium place one rigidity, a judgemental rigidity, where we
maintain an aloof self-righteousness, somehow expecting that kind of
pride & arrogance will actually convict non-believers & DRAW
them to God.

I wonder how
many of us (when we were seeking a connection with Jesus) would be
followers of Jesus if the initial & subsequent attitude presented
to us had been the aloof self-righteousness that Christians often
display here in America.

I think we all
know the answer to that thought.

We wouldn't be
followers of Jesus.

Neither are the
people who are confronted with this strident attitude.

What was it that
Jesus Himself said?

They will know
we are His followers because we have a different quality of love from
the rest of the world.

And for Paul, on
of many expressions he espoused was trying to find common ground with
everyone, so that they will feel comfortable with him, trust him, &
listen to him when he talks about Jesus & how Jesus has impacted
his life.